Friday Reads: Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre!!

Aaaand welcome to the final entry to this week's Friday Reads!

This book has taken me a bit to finish reading, not because I wasn't enjoying it but mostly cause I needed to take a break now and then from its glorious creepiness and cause I wanted to read as much of it during daylight hours as possible, something I failed at, cause I read the last 35% of it and probably the creepiest bits after work and dinner last night!

I've also discovered I really need to read more Ann Aguirre books cause I've loved all three of her books I've read so far!



Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Mortal Danger is a book that doesn't really hold any punches back. I'm still a bit shellshocked after everything that happened in this book and I'm really impressed with how it juggled tough contemporary themes like bullying and mixes it with a rich and creepy world of hidden power plays in a paranormal world.

Edit has suffered an extremely upsetting and enraging case of bullying from her peers for years at this exclusive high school, and that along with the way some of the adults around her dealt with it, making her feel it was her fault, drove her to the jumpers' bridge, ready to put an end to her suffering. But a beautiful stranger approaches her and offers her a better alternative, a way to change her life that means not having to give up but means a chance to getting back at her tormentors.

Edit seizes it, and even in her despair and immense sadness, she manages to keep her head and not walk into the deal completely blinded. She will find herself a bit way over her head, but she will not stop fighting and that's what makes her such a great survivor. She tries to get out of her older skin, try to shake her fearful and humiliated old self, and with her deal done, she takes a new leaf and tries to become a new person and get her revenge. But soon revenge takes a back seat with all the paranormal and inexplicable stuff happening around her, and she realizes that revenge might not be exactly what she wants anymore, not the way things start happening.

Kian is a character that I wasn't entirely sure about at first, but despite Edit's reasonable doubts I was sure quite early that he really was on her side, despite his tendency to keep secrets to protect her, which is a trait that I don't appreciate much in characters. No matter what, they're chemistry was great and I loved those moments that were about just them together and that they really learn to make a great team, relaying in one another.

One thing this book exceeded at was being creepy as hell. SO many creepy characters and moments would jump at you unexpectedly and would make me shiver and pause while reading (full disclosure, yes, I'm a wuss, but this book is very creepy!!) and now that I'm done with the book, I'm a bit afraid of going to sleep and having some nightmares, cause the descriptions and the ambience of the book were so vivid and creepy!

And another thing that was wonderfully done and that I've treasured every tidbit was the amazing mythology built around this paranormal creatures and happenings and the deals done in exchange of saving someone from death. I won't be getting much into it, but I found it so fascinating that I cannot wait to meet more characters and get more in-depth with it!

Be sure to be prepared to many many ups and downs with this book and remember that no one is safe and always wait for the other shoe to drop, cause holy hell does it fall! A fantastic book very much deserving of 4.5 stars!



View all my reviews

Friday Reads: Mini Review of Summerfall by Claire Legrand!!

Hello guys! Happy Friday and welcome to another edition of Friday Reads!

This week I'm failing a bit at reading, but since I've only had one day and a half off and I had to get ready an order of cupcakes, I feel like I can be dispensed... I am trying to catch up now, and hopefully during the weekend!

I'm starting with a mini review for a prequel novella that I adored and really made me look forward to the full lenght book!



Summerfall: A Winterspell Novella by Claire Legrand

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When I first heard of this prequel novella for Winterspell, I preordered it as soon as it was up for it on Amazon. Then I got approved via Edelweiss for Winterspell and I kept wondering if I should read it or wait for the novella, and in the decided to wait. And it turns out it was the right choice!

Summerfall is a prequel and as such we are introduced to the world of Cane and to characters that won't probably be in Winterspell, but we are given and insight into the events that shaped what will be going on in the book and we are introduced both to the world of Cane and to Claire Legrand's quite beautiful writing!

Summerfall is the story of Rinka, a naive and sheltered faery that has a fascination for humans in a world were the relationships between both races are not at the best of times. She believes in understanding and getting to know each other to destroy prejudice and restore peace. She finds her chance to meet with the humans and try to work towards peace and soon realizes things are not that easy and soon her life and probably the entire realm's change.

Rinka is a wonderful character that starts as really naive but soon learns that she's way in over her head, but I loved that she never backed down, she took challenges on ahead and wanted to work for peace, even when the road was tough. That she might just loose her head for love and risked everything might seem silly, but it could be seen as another way to show that peace between the two races was possible, if love could be found.

The treachery of power and politics taking advantage of the differences between people and the fear that can generate is nothing now, and seeing it at play in Cane is a dire reminder we'd all do well in taking to heart. Facing the consequences of our choices and not shruging away from responsabilities are also themes explored in this novella.

Quite some strong themes, a good foundation to the world of Cane, well developed characters and a really swoony romance all mixed up make this novella a must read! Now I cannot wait to read Winterspell! Well deserved 4 stars!



View all my reviews

First Chapter, First Paragraph #9: Linked by Imogen Howson!!

First Chapter, First Paragraph is one of the two memes that I will be alternating on Thursdays in place of my Ink & Batter posts during the summer, when I won't be baking due to the heat!

I discovered this meme via the ladies of My Shelf Confessions, and it is hosted on Tuesdays by Bibliophile by the Sea. But since I already have my blog tours posts and Tell Me Tuesdays, I thought that it'd work best on Thursdays for me!

The idea of this meme/feature is quite self-explanatory from its name, we share the first paragraph of the first chapter of our current read! Quite a good teaser for others to read and see if they'd be intrigued!

This week I'm doing a poor job of making progress with my reading but I've just started Linked by Imogen Howson, since it is my Alyssa Recommends book for August! 

Linked by Imogen Howson

"As Elissa and her mother entered the waiting room, the sky above Central Canyon City was a chill, predawn gray, the spaceporta colorless blaze on the horizon. Lines and points of light prickled up from the canyon floor far below."












What do you think? Would you want to know more?
What are you reading right now?

Xpresso Book Tours Book Blitz & Giveaway: The Last Mission of the Living by Rhiannon Frater!!

Hello everyone!!

Welcome to release week's Book Blitz for The Last Mission of the Living by Rhiannon Frater, organized and hosted by Xpresso Book Tours!

Let me introduce you to the book and author and remember there's a book blitz wide giveaway going on!

The Last Mission of the Living of the by Rhiannon Frater

(The Last Bastion)
Publication date: August 28th 2014
Genres: Adult, Horror, Post-Apocalyptic, Zombies

Synopsis:

Humanity teeters on the brink of extinction…

Vanguard Lindsay Rooney has faced the undead hordes of Inferi Scourge and lived to tell the tale, but she has also suffered horrible losses. Like millions of other civilians, she had hoped that The Bastion would recover after a team of modified soldiers eradicated the undead hordes of Inferi Scourge that infested their valley. Yet the city still crumbles around them, along with any chance of survival.

Lindsey’s growing friendship with Torran MacDonald, an officer with the Science Warfare division, is her only solace as the decline of the city continues. When food riots fill the streets, martial law is enacted, and the upper echelons of government battle for control of the city, Lindsey is conscripted by her superiors to embark on a dangerous mission into the dead world beyond The Bastion. To add even more complications, Torran and the SWD join the squad.

Soon, Lindsey realizes that her mission is more than what it seems, and there are secrets that could both destroy The Bastion and take her life.

 Amazon 

 About the author:

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. In 2014, her newest horror novel, The Mesmerized, will be released by Permuted Press. Dead Spots will be published in 2015 by Tor. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).  She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Blog

Blizt Wide Giveaway!

Paperbacks of both book 1 & 2 in the Last Bastion series (US only - INTL winner will get ebook copies)

Ends September 9th

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Waiting On Wednesday #57!!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted at Breaking The Spine  that spotlights those can't-wait-to-get-my-hands-on-them books that we are eagerly awaiting!

This week I'm absolutely dying and I will be stalking the postman like there's no tomorrow for my preordered copy of Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas! I'm SO DAMNED excited for this book I preordered the US hardback since it releases on Sept 2nd so I don't have to wait till my Kindle preorder downloads on Sept 11th!! Not happy that Amazon ES decided to go with UK dates on this one!

 Goodreads Summary:

"Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?"


Why am I eagerly awaiting Heir of Fire? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? How can I not when Crown of Midnight gave me the biggest book hangover of last year?? And that ending?? CRUELEST OF CRUELS cliffhangers!! And every book is this series has been better than the previous, so that's quite saying something!!

What are you all (im)patiently awaiting this week?

September is For Sequels Challenge by Lisa Loves Literature!!

Hey guys! Welcome to my second year signing up for September is for Sequels Challenge, hosted by Lisa Loves Literature!

Last year it proved a very good way to kick my arse into continue completing series and reading sequels I had been postponing for no good reason, and I'm hoping it will do so again this year and by doing that, it'll also improve my Series Challenge, that is a bit sad as of late!

So, what's the objective of the challenge? To read and review a minimum of 4 sequels between September 1st and 30th! If you think you may want to join the challenge, go HERE and read all about it and sign up!

My hopefuls for this month are not exactly as ambitious as last year, but there are a few sequels coming out in September that I might add later on!

The Rules For Breaking by Ashely Elston (#2 and final book)

Unravel by Imogen Howson (#2 and final book)

Altered by Gennifer Albin (#2 in the trilogy)

Starbreak by Phoebe North (#2 and final book)

Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff (#2 in the trilogy)

Let's see how well I do by the end of the month!!

Xpresso Book Tour Blog Tour for Gypsy by Trisha Leigh!!

Hey there everyone! Today I'm taking part in the Blog Tour for Gypsy by Trisha Leigh, organized by Xpresso Book Tours!

I will be sharing my review & a Blog Tour wide giveaway, so click HERE for the full tour schedule! But before that, let's get you some more information about the book & author, shall we?

Gypsy by Trisha Leigh

(The Cavy Files #1)
Publication date: May 13th 2014
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis:Inconsequential: not important or significant.

Synonyms: insignificant, unimportant, nonessential, irrelevant
In the world of genetic mutation, Gypsy’s talent of knowing a person’s age of death is considered a failure. Her peers, the other Cavies, have powers that range from curdling a blood still in the vein to being able to overhear a conversation taking place three miles away, but when they’re taken from the sanctuary where they grew up and forced into the real world, Gypsy, with her all-but-invisible gift, is the one with the advantage.

The only one who’s safe, if the world finds out what they can do.

When the Cavies are attacked and inoculated with an unidentified virus, that illusion is shattered. Whatever was attached to the virus causes their abilities to change. Grow. In some cases, to escape their control.
Gypsy dreamed of normal high school, normal friends, a normal life, for years. Instead, the Cavies are sucked under a sea of government intrigue, weaponized genetic mutation, and crushing secrets that will reframe everything they’ve ever been told about how their “talents” came to be in the first place.

When they find out one of their own has been appropriated by the government, mistreated and forced to run dangerous missions, their desire for information becomes a pressing need. With only a series of guesses about their origins, the path to the truth becomes quickly littered with friends, enemies, and in the end, the Cavies ability to trust anyone at all.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Trisha Leigh is a product of the Midwest, which means it’s pop, not soda, garage sales, not tag sales, and you guys as opposed to y’all. Most of the time. She’s been writing seriously for five years now, and has published 4 young adult novels and 4 new adult novels (under her pen name Lyla Payne). Her favorite things, in no particular order, include: reading, Game of Thrones, Hershey’s kisses, reading, her dogs (Yoda and Jilly), summer, movies,  reading, Jude Law, coffee, and rewatching WB series from the 90’s-00’s.

Her family is made up of farmers and/or almost rock stars from Iowa, people who numerous, loud, full of love, and the kind of people that make the world better. Trisha tries her best to honor them, and the lessons they’ve taught, through characters and stories—made up, of course, but true enough in their way.

Trisha is the author of The Last Year series and the Whitman University books. She’s represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Review

When I saw Gypsy's summary I thought it sounded really fascinating, so when I got the chance to get a copy for review and be part of the blog tour, I jumped at it. And boy am I glad that I did!

Gypsy not only had a great pace and kept you engaged no matter if we're reading action scenes or character development scenes. The book managed to surprise me from the start, we begin as Gypsy in at the orphanage/school where she's always lived with other 9 kids with special abilities. There's a certain Professor X School sort of file to it, but rather more secret and a little more seedy. But all of a sudden things change, and the Cavies are taken away from the only place than they've known and even if Gypsy sees it as a chance to forget about her useless ability and to feel normal, it isn't as easy for the rest of the Cavies.

We get very little information at first on who where the Professor and the rest of the people at the Cavies only home, and once they're back to the families they didn't know they had it's when the Cavies realize things have just started for them. They need to get back into regular society, they find enemies or potential allies and don't know who to trust, so in the end it's Cavies first and foremost, their bonds stronger than any others.

I was surprised on how easy it was to connect with Gypsy and her struggles with the changes from being insignificant and unimportant to have a chance to be normal and attend high school, which was such a big deal for her! I loved how her being happy in her new life didn't mean she forgot about the Cavies or the questions they were trying to answer.

There's plenty of science, a bit about conspiracies about government agencies, plenty of hidden secrets by the government, the families... When you turn the page you are waiting for the next shoe to drop and then we get to the final showdown, think that things will calm down and YAY no cliffhanger and then BAM! one heck of an awful cliffhanger right there! I'm now dying to get my hands on book 2!! Very well deserved 4.5 stars to this mix of science fiction with paranormal!

Giveaway!

 Open to US and Canada - Ends Sept 9th

A $20 gift card at any book retailer 

Signed paperback of Gypsy

Swag

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Tell Me Tuesdays #9!!

Tell Me Tuesdays is a meme/feature created by the awesome ladies of Please Feed The Bookworm and La La In The Library where we can share how we choose the book we are currently reading from our TBR pile!

I'm always curious about that, cause as much as I tend to make myself a rough schedule for books to read and the like, I'm quite a mood reader and sometimes I just HAVE to ignore my schedule and read something else!

 The Iron Trial by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a riveting new series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.

From two bestselling superstars, a dazzling and magical middle-grade collaboration centering on the students of the Magisterium, an academy for those with a propensity toward magic. In this first book, a new student comes to the Magisterium against his will -- is it because he is destined to be a powerful magician, or is the truth more twisted than that? It's a journey that will thrill you, surprise you, and make you wonder about the clear-cut distinction usually made between good and evil.

 Linked by Imogen Howson

Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere.

Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes.

Elissa follows her visions, and finds a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. The twin sister she never knew existed.

Now, Elissa and Lin are on the run from a government who will stop at nothing to reclaim Lin and protect the dangerous secrets she could expose—secrets that would shake the very foundation of their world.

Riveting, thought-provoking and utterly compelling, Linked will make you question what it really means to be human.


Just last week I got approved for The Iron Trial on Netgalley (that you Random House!!) and after Lies We Tell Ourselves, I really needed something light, so a magic school and kids seems like the right choice. I also just started Linked cause it is my chosen Alyssa's Reads recommendation for August and I'm running out of month to read it!

So what are you all guys reading and how and why did you decide to pick up that book? Shiny new ARC? Comfort read? Scheduled for review? Must have new release? Tell me!!

Xpresso Book Tours Book Blitz & Giveaway: Athena's Ashes by Jamie Grey!!!

Hello everyone!!

Welcome to release week's Book Blitz for Athena's Ashes by Jamie Grey, organized and hosted by Xpresso Book Tours!

I loved the first book in this trilogy, The Star Thief and also the bridge novella between these two, so I was very happy to take part of this blitz! Let me introduce you to the book and author and remember there's a book blitz wide giveaway going on!

Athena’s Ashes by Jamie Grey
(Star Thief Chronicles #2)
Publication date: August 26th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Science Fiction

Synopsis:

It’s Renna’s biggest job yet – convincing MYTH leadership that she’s put away her lock picks and is ready to save the galaxy, despite the dangerous implant in her brain. But with the Athena on the run, she’s working solo and facing her most ruthless enemy, the traitor Pallas, who’ll go to any lengths to destroy the MYTH organization. Including framing Renna for a devastating assault on MYTH HQ that leaves their defenses crippled and hundreds dead.

Now that MYTH believes she’s a dangerous double-agent, Renna escapes their firing squad before they put more holes in her than a pair of fishnet stockings. But the ticking time-bomb in her head is the one thing Pallas needs to complete his master plan and he’s not about to let her get away. Even worse, he’s discovered the only thing that will bring Renna to her knees – threatening Captain Nick Finn.

Out of time and options, Renna’s got one shot to take down the traitor before he annihilates everything she loves, even though winning this battle may cost her everything.

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | iTunes | Kobo

 About the author:

Jamie Grey spent most of her childhood writing stories about princesses who saved the day and pretending to be a daring explorer. It wasn’t until much later that she realized she should combine the two. Now, as a tech-obsessed gamer geek, her novels mix amazing scientific developments, future worlds, and the remarkable characters that live in them.

Jamie lives in Michigan with her boyfriend and their pets, who luckily tolerate her overspending on tea, books, and video games. You can learn more about her at www.jamiegreybooks.com, or follow her on twitter via @jamie_grey.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest

Blitz Wide Giveaway!

Paperback of Star Thief Chronicles book 1 & 2 + ebook of the novella

25$ Amazon Gift Card

Athena's Ashes postcards and tote bag

Open INTERNATIONALLY; ends Sept 9th

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Mark This Book Monday: ARC Review of Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley!!!

Hello guys! Happy Monday!

I work night shift today, so althought I do have to work, I get to sleep in and spent most of my day at home!
I'm starting the week for Mark This Book Monday with a tough read and a wonderful book all rolled into one, one I cannot recommend enough for everyone to read and then stop and think.

This is one book that will be better if read with someone, and that's why I'm so happy I was doing a buddy read for it with the very awesome Becca of Pivot Book Reviews and Pivot Book Totes! You can read her review of the book HERE.

I got approved for it by Harlequin Teen that are usually wonderful to me like that via NetGalley! As an ARC it is part of my 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge and also my ARC August challenge!

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was one tough book to read, at least the first third of the book was extremely heartbreaking to read. But, this is one of those books that I think everyone needs to read, we all need a reminder about what the perpetuated lies and standards of "us vs them" really are.

This a great example that if we are looking for diverse reads they are out there, this is historical fiction set in more modern times, of the long and very tough journey of integration.

The story is told from two points of view: Sara, the black girl that is for the first time enrolling into an all white school; and Linda, the white girl whose father is the main opposer of integration and equality in their town, and the more vocal, given that he runs the local paper.

The book starts with Sarah's POV, and there was a point I wasn't sure I could continue reading. The amount of hate and humiliating stuff they go through was upseting, saddening, maddening and made my blood boil. I was feeling as anxious and my heart rate got higher with the tension and anxiety that Sarah went through. Really amazing how the narrative made me feel so much!

Then we switch to Linda's POV and we see things from her side, and lil by lil see her thinking for herself and finding out that maybe those beliefs she thought she had weren't so right or as strong as she thought they were. It was a fantastic example of how reality differs from theory and how when "them" as an abstract entity becomes a real human being in front of you, the differences are not so big.

This book is mainly about the differences or lack thereof about being black or white, but then adds yet another layer and it can be just about being different in a way that society as a whole, or a chunk of society seems to disapprove of, for no other reason than being different, fear and hate just turning it into an " us vs. them" fight once again.

Hope and finding the right way to live life the way you want to, making sure you don't have to hurt others but not letting them making your choices for you would be the very positive message by the end of the book. So be warned but not be discouraged at all, this is a must read of a book! 4 to 5 stars for this one, I can't seem to be able to pick a rating for it!



View all my reviews

ARC August Update Week #3!!

Well, I'd say this week I didn't do as well as I would have wanted for my ARC August challenge, but I am hoping I'll be able to give it a final push next week and reach my challenge goals and complete all the books I had added!

This week I didn't manage to read too many books as it is, so I only read 2 ARCs and one of them is a novella... but I also have another 2 ARCs started, so I'm hoping to finish another one tonight itself!

Hopefully I can finish those two ARCs and hopefully another 2 more next week to reach my challenge goals, but we'll see cause I have a cupcakes order to fill on my days off!

Showcase Sunday #45!!

Showcase Sunday is a weekly feature hosted by Vicky of Books, Biscuits, and Tea where all book lovers can share with others what bookish goodness we got this week, be it purchased (physical or eBook), won, gifted or for review!

This week has been a very good one when it comes to physical books, cause my missing parcel from Book Outlet was found on the P.O., got more giveaway wins in the mail and also got books from TBD!

I also got myself a few books for my Kindle: Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs and a pair of her novellas and also got myself Touch of Frost and Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep on the recommendation of Jenny from Supernatural Snark, cause if Jenny says I ought to read these books, I have to!

Purchased (via The Book Depository)

Finally got my preorder of Dangerous Boys, I really hope I'll have time to read it soon! Also got me more Jennifer Brown books, since I loved Torn Away!

Dangerous Boys by Abigail Haas

Perfect Escape by Jennifer Brown

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Purchased (via Book Outlet)

Finally got my missing order from Book Outlet and so many gorgeous books in this one, even a graphic novel!

Parallel by Lauren Miller

The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski

Revelations by J. A. Souders

Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

Frankenstein by Gris Grimly

For Review (via NetGalley)

This week Random House Children and Random House UK were very nice to me an approved a pair of requests on NetGalley! Thank you!

The Iron Trial by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

Swamp Bones by Kathy Reichs

Won In A Giveaway

This week has also been extremely good on the giveaway front! I got my amazing prize from Meagan Spooner and my copy of Starbreak that I won from Jen Ryland's July giveaway at YA Romantics! Thank you so much Meagan and Jen!!

I cannot wait to finally read back to back Starglass and Starbreak by Phoebe North! Science fiction duologies for the win!

I got a signed and dedicated ARC of Lark Ascending that I cannot wait to sit and read and loads and loads of amazing signed swag, including signed book plates for all my other books by her and with Amie Kaufman! Ain't Meagan the best??

Purchased (via Etsy)

And here it is! Another absolutely stunning Pivot Book Tote!! This amazing Fangirl tote is available at Becca's Etsy Shop! And I simply adore mine!! Aaaand it matches my special edition of Fangirl!

That's all for this week, which was quite a wonderful post wise week! I'm still rather overwhelmed with life a bit, and I'm not being a very good bloggy friend cause I suck at commenting as of late! Sorry guys, I hope to have more time to catch up on visiting and commenting on your blogs!

What all did you guys get this week?

Saturday Pages: Mini reviews of Outcast & Swamp Bones!!

Hello guys!

This week's Saturday Pages is happening a lil latter than usual, but they almost didn't happen... I was extremely tired last night and went to sleep without having any posts ready and today I woke up feeling rather tired still, but I decided to still manage to crank up a pair of novellas reviews that I had pending!

One of them is a novella that I got this week on NetGalley so it will totally count for my ARC August list!

 Swamp Bones: A Novella by Kathy Reichs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I've always been a big of both this series by Kathy Reichs and Bones the tv series (at least till I lost interest once the drama got a bit too much for me) even if they were rather different. I had forgotten a bit about the books till I saw this novella on NetGalley and realized I had missed reading one book and there was another coming! So I just got the previous book to this one and preordered the next!

Swamp Bones is a novella that can be read without having read all the Tempe Brennan books since it's a story on its own, but I don't think it's the best of the Tempe stories either.

But even as one of the weakest stories in the mystery sense of the murder(s) to be solved, cause there was a point were the suspect was pointed at too easily, so much that I was expecting it to be a red herring, the story was always fascinating because of the way the science is weaved in. Even if most of the science was about pythons in this one, and snakes are one of my few irrational fears!

Tempe can be a bit too rash and impulsive and given some of the bad situations that has got her into in the past, it makes me wonder why she doesn't seem to learn given how intelligent a character she is. I guess we all have our flaws, and hers is being a bit rash and overly optimistic on outcomes.

All in all, a good enough novella that really got me in the mood to read more Tempe Brennan books! 3 stars to this one (for the too obvious resolution).




Outcast by C.J. Redwine

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Outcast is the very much awaited novella featuring our dear Quinn and his sister Willow's story before they meet Rachel and Logan and become allies. This is the story of why Quinn understands how broken Rachel can be and how both he and his sister got exiled from their tribe and came to meet Rachel's dad.

Quinn has always been a very interesting character and we knew there was a lot more to his past than what he himself or his sister had revealed before, both about what caused their exile and why Quinn refused to kill when fighting and in this novella, we find out exactly how horrible their childhood was being trained to be killers with the excuse of being defenders, and how abusive their relationship with their father was.

We see Quinn from feeling like what they're doing is wrong, to finding the strenght to face his father and try to put a stop to his madness when he thinks of protecting his sister and finds an unexpected ally on Rachel's father when Jared stumbles onto the village's perimeter trying to hide from Rowansmark agents.

For a short novella this one packs a really emotional punch and we find ourselves loving and understanding much better both Quinn and Willow and even get a lil better understanding of what a good man Rachel's dad was. One of those novellas that are a joy to read, even with the tough themes in it which earns it 5 stars.



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Friday Reads: ARC Review of Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini!!

As my final entry for this week's Friday Reads is one of those ARCs that you cannot believe your good luck on getting a copy! I'm so very thankful that Mac Kids Books took pity on me on Twitter and allowed me to get an eARC of this one!

Since it's an ARC it's also part of my 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge, but not of ARC August since I read this one a while back, totally skipping on my review pile! ;)

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Trial By Fire is one of those quite awaited books for this year since I loved Josephine Angelini's other series (Starcrossed). When I saw that I had missed it being a read it now on NetGalley, I conmiserated with fellow bloggers on Twitter and was immensely lucky to be given a chance to read it by the publisher, so a big thank you to Mac Kids & Feiwell 6 Friends!

As I started reading the book I was a bit confused at first, cause I was expecting witches and burning and for some reason I thought it'd be historical fiction paranormal, but what happens is that we meet Lily Proctor, a girl that is allergic at almost everything and that's having the hardest time ever trying to have a normal as possible life. We see her as a recluse with a best friend that she has a crush on and that has been jumping from girl to girl for the longest time. So far all very contemporary (and a very confused Pili) but things change quickly with betrayal and hurt and Lily finds herself in a very different place altogether.

This is when the real book started for me, even if everything that happened before made sense as the book progressed and some of the things that happened and the people she had in her life were relevant and I'm sure will continue to be so in the rest of the series, once Lily finds herself in a different Salem is when the book really takes off!

The world building of this one simply blown me away, I loved the concept of multiverses and how this world and Salem had the same players and so many things were similar to our world but also essentially completely different. Science and magic as different ways to achieve (more or less) the same thing. How witches hold their magic as their tool and form of control, cause as much as they do a service to the population they also can hold them hostages to those comforts. Quite a good commentary in itself to positions of service and power and the corruption of the best of intentions.

Lily coming to a different Earth where there's another Lillian already and having to deal with the purpose that her other self set on, learning that she's much more here than just a feeble girl allergic to the world and dealing with a whole new version of the people she had in her life... Learning and finding herself powerful and dealing with the temptation of imposing her own will on others was a very interesting journey to read, and seeing how she would fight to remain herself even with all the changes around her made me like Lily a whole lot.

As far as the romance in this book it was a lil on the complicated side, with Rowan being the one that has to help, but with a lot of baggage from his past and his relationship with Lillian. The way the relationship progresses in fits and starts and how they get connected was a bit painful but had me very much rooting for them to get together.

The book has everything, magic, science, enviromental concerns, political intrigue, rebellions, abuse of power, multiverses and one hell of an ending that surely leaves you begging for the next book! Damn those cliffhangers! Very well deserved 4 stars to this one!



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Friday Reads: Opposition by Jennifer L Armentrout!!

Hello guys! Happy Friday! Mine is not the start of a weekend off, but at least I'm back on 3 to 10 pm schedule, which means I can sleep in in the mornings!

I'm starting this week's Friday Reads with a review for yet another series finale and an August release. As such it is not one part of any of my various challenges, but one of those "ME" reads!



Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I started the Lux series on a whim, cause although I wasn't drawn to them, I was waiting for the next Covenant book and I thought "Why not?" and damn, I got totally addicted and ended up binge reading the first 3 books! Then the wait for Origin was quite awful cause of that evil cliffhanger and even if the cliffhanger wasn't as bad this time, it's always bad waiting for the final book of a series!

Given that it is the final book of the series some spoilers for previous books might be expected but I promise no spoilers for Opposition itself!

Opposition starts very much where Origin left us, with the Lux's arrival, Daemon disappearance (along with Dee and Dawson) and Katy left to worry and wonder. The beginning was a bit odd while you wait till working out what the heck is going on now. But never fret, things won't stay weird for long, and soon enough Katy and Daemon will be again the amazing team that they are, ready to face whatever comes together.

That is one of the strengths of these books I feel, the great relationship between Daemon and Katy, the chemistry, the banter, and the way they support each other! Daemon wants to protect Kary but also accepts that she is not going to want to be left behind or treated as useless and he actually really appreciates how kick ass she has become. They don't hold each other back and that is always a sign of a healthy relationship.

Daemon still got his sass and smartass attitude, even when it really wouldn't be a great idea to display, but that's the Daemon we all know and can't help but love. Katy has grown a lot and she's got very good at dealing as best as she can with all the crap that has been thrown her way, but she hasn't stopped being her nerdy bookish self, and I absolutely adore that!

Opposition has plenty of action, even if there's also a lot of planning and the final battle ends up being more personal than massive final showdown. There is conflict, heartbreak and also a lot of hope, some old friends from other books and plenty of humour here and there to lighten the tension a little bit.

The epilogue was a nice way to round it up, and even more after you read the extra epilogue that JLA wrote on her blog (the first line of that one made me giggle btw!) and this was a great final book for the series. Who would have thought I'd love a series of aliens in high school, huh? Very deserved 4 stars for this one!



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First Chapter, First Paragraph #8: Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley!!

First Chapter, First Paragraph is one of the two memes that I will be alternating on Thursdays in place of my Ink & Batter posts during the summer, when I won't be baking due to the heat!

I discovered this meme via the ladies of My Shelf Confessions, and it is hosted on Tuesdays by Bibliophile by the Sea. But since I already have my blog tours posts and Tell Me Tuesdays, I thought that it'd work best on Thursdays for me!

The idea of this meme/feature is quite self-explanatory from its name, we share the first paragraph of the first chapter of our current read! Quite a good teaser for others to read and see if they'd be intrigued!


This week I'm sharing the beginning of an ARC I got approved by Harlequinn Teen via NetGalley that will release next month and that I'm buddy reading with the awesome Becca from Pivot Book Reviews (and Totes!).

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley



"Lie #1 


There's no need to be afraid


Jefferson High School, Davisburg, Virginia February 2, 1959


THE WHITE PEOPLE are waiting for us.


Chuck seem them first. He's gone out ahead of our group to peer around the corner by the hardware store. From there you can see all Jefferson High."



What do you think? Would you want to know more?
What are you reading right now?

Waiting On Wednesday #56!!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted at Breaking The Spine  that spotlights those can't-wait-to-get-my-hands-on-them books that we are eagerly awaiting!

Sooo, what book am I really really really looking forward to this week? First World Problems by LeighAnn Kopans!

Goodreads Summary:

"Sofia Cole has always been able to get anything she wants through begging, flirting, and shameless manipulation of everyone around her.

Sofia doesn't think that Dad sending her on a gap service year to Guyana to address how "spoiled" she is will change any of that.

Sofia just might be proven wrong.

(A companion novel to SOLVING FOR EX (February 2014,) FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS is a standalone Upper YA/Lower NA contemporary romance.)"


Why am I eagerly awaiting First World Problems? Well, LeighAnn Kopans is one of my beloved authors and this one is a NA companion novel for one of my fave contemporaries of the year, Solving For Ex! I cannot wait to read how dear Sophia gets thrown completely out of her comfort zone!

What are you all (im)patiently awaiting this week?

Tell Me Tuesdays #8!!

Tell Me Tuesdays is a meme/feature created by the awesome ladies of Please Feed The Bookworm and La La In The Library where we can share how we choose the book we are currently reading from our TBR pile!

I'm always curious about that, cause as much as I tend to make myself a rough schedule for books to read and the like, I'm quite a mood reader and sometimes I just HAVE to ignore my schedule and read something else!

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley



 In 1959 Virginia, the lives of two girls on opposite sides of the battle for civil rights will be changed forever.

Sarah Dunbar is one of the first black students to attend the previously all-white Jefferson High School. An honors student at her old school, she is put into remedial classes, spit on and tormented daily.

Linda Hairston is the daughter of one of the town’s most vocal opponents of school integration. She has been taught all her life that the races should be kept “separate but equal.”

Forced to work together on a school project, Sarah and Linda must confront harsh truths about race, power and how they really feel about one another.

Boldly realistic and emotionally compelling, Lies We Tell Ourselves is a brave and stunning novel about finding truth amid the lies, and finding your voice even when others are determined to silence it.

 Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what--she can trust. Not even her own mind...


I got approved on NetGalley for Lies We Tell Ourselves and I'm doing a buddy read of it with my bloggy friend and awesomely talented Becca of Pivot Point Reviews and Pivot Book Totes! And I'm also finally reading Mortal Danger, after I got the sampler with the 5 first chapters and read some really great reviews from some of my bloggy friends!


So what are you all guys reading and how and why did you decide to pick up that book? Shiny new ARC? Comfort read? Scheduled for review? Must have new release? Tell me!!